I would have to agree with Otis on this: let a shop do it. Although there is a
section in the factory service manual telling you how to do it, and several
books on the subject, and I have seen the occasional "non-professional" like
Kerry Pinkerton do a good job on replacing a vinyl roof on a fuselage car . . .
I'd have to say it would be the type of job I would not want to have a
"learning experience" on.
As for painting the roof and not replacing the vinyl, I'd say go for the
vinyl. I can see why people would say that, but you have to remember: the
vinyl top on your car lasted 30 years before it got bad enough for you to want
to replace it. Properly installed and cared for, a vinyl top should last for
years. In addition, they're one of those items that adds to the originality
and uniqueness of your car, like a 2 tone paint job for a car from the 50's.
They ain't putting vinyl tops on new cars. The vinyl top says "1971" in a way
nothing else can. Plus, in my opinion, they're very attractive. But then, I
still have a crush on Marcia Brady. :)
Mark M
Otis Davidson wrote:
> Hi Kevin,
>
> My advice to you,or anyone else(including me)that doesn't have experience in
> replacing vinyl tops,is to have a vinyl-top shop do the job. Some glass
> shops do it too. The price I got for replacing the tan top on my '75 was
> about $300-$350 if they did ALL of the work.
>